Z Says Goodbye to Chappaqua Library

After eight years, teen librarian Zahra Baird, better known as "Z," will be leaving the Chappaqua Library, marking the end of an era.

Having started as a children's librarian in 2003 before assuming her current gig in 2009, Z has watched many of the same kids over the years.

"I got to see them grow up," she said.

Z will be heading over to the Yonkers Riverfront Library to take on a similar job. Her last day in Chappaqua is on Oct. 29.

In her time at the Chappaqua Library, Z, who lives in White Plains, has helped to shape many programs that the teen zone offers, both from working with teens for input and in teaming up with New Castle Recreation officials. New offerings that she helped roll out included "Got Game?" which involves hanging out and playing video games or board games, "Just Dance," "Book Buzz" for kids to read works before they're published, and the ANI*MANGA group, which is for kids interested in anime and manga cartoons. That group recently got to take a trip to the Jacob Javits Center for a comics convention.

"To be able to take a field trip like that was great," she said.

In addition, Z also supervisors teens who are paid to work as pages, as well as "volunteens," or young volunteers. Her age group ranges from middle school and high school students.

Still, Z noted that input from the teens has helped to shape the place.

"It's their place, it's their space," she said.

Several teens who she has worked with and hung out with wished her well in interviews.

"Zahra is like a box of paints and the library is like a canvass," said Michael Friendland, at seventh-grader at Bell Middle School.

Jacob Greenberg, also a Bell seventh grader, remembers her since he was little. He thinks that she helped make teen zone popular.

"It's fun to work with Z," said Stephen Ku, a sophomore at Horace Greeley High School who is a volunteen.

Library Director Pamela Thornton, said that Z "made the library relevant to the teens in Chappaqua." When asked about her new job in Yonkers, Thornton said that she is happy for her.

There will be a going away ice cream party for Baird on Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the library theater.